The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea - G
Common Sense Note
Parents should know that kids will see some scary scenes with mild peril including a pair of sharks who attempt to eat people and animal characters. Melody also nearly meets her end by drowning. Melody also runs away from home after a disagreement with her mother.
Families who watch this movie might discuss sequels. Why is a sequel rarely as good as the original? Did you think this movie was as good and The Little Mermaid. Where you disappointed to see so little of Ariel? Why do you think this sequel wasn't released in theaters when the first movie, which won a lot of awards, was?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Paul Trandahl
This direct-to-video sequel to Disney's animated hit The Little Mermaid reverses the first movie's plot when, against her parents' wishes, Ariel's daughter Melody tries to become part of the world under the sea. An inevitable sense of been there, done that hangs over this uninspired rehash, which doesn't come close to matching the original movie's tuneful charm.
The festivities celebrating the birth of Melody, Ariel and Eric's daughter, are interrupted by the arrival of the sea witch Morgana ("Ursula's crazy sister!"), who attempts to kidnap the child. The attempt fails, but Ariel decides that, until the threat of Morgana is eliminated, Melody must be forbidden from going near the ocean and kept in the dark about her mermaid heritage.
Twelve years later, Melody ignores these rules and swims in the ocean regularly. When Ariel discovers what she's been up to, harsh words are exchanged, and Melody runs away from home, escaping in a boat out to sea. Morgana finds Melody and fulfills her wish to become a mermaid, but dupes the girl into stealing King Triton's magical trident. A guilt-ridden Ariel must now return to the ocean to make peace with Melody and prevent Morgana from gaining absolute power over the merdom.
Apart from some minor variations, the story of LITTLE MERMAID II is a shameless retread of the plot of its Academy Award-winning predecessor. Kids anxious to see the continuing adventures of Ariel may be disappointed to discover that she's been relegated to little more than a supporting role here.
Ariel's new authoritarian role is a bit off-putting, as is her decision to lie to Melody about her family's history. Although she lies to protect her daughter, the filmmakers seem to have forgotten that the Ariel of the first movie was playful and imaginative. When the evil Morgana makes a sarcastic comment about Ariel being "cruel and deceitful," some kids just might agree with her!
Two new comedic characters, Tip the Penguin and Dash the Walrus, will also amuse younger viewers with their slapstick aquatic antics. Sadly, Sebastian the crab, one the best characters in the first movie, is pretty much wasted here, reduced to complaining endlessly about having to look after yet another headstrong teenager.
All of the voice actors who helped give the first movie so much charm have returned, and their skill somewhat compensates for the clumsy script. Many kids will be able to relate to Melody's sense of insecurity. Still, given that this movie is but a pale imitation, most kids will be best served simply by giving the The Little Mermaid another look. If your kids love seeing familiar faces, try Lilo and Stitch 2: Stitch Has A Glitch, an animated sequal worth the time.
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ViolenceA menacing shark attempts to eat other characters. Melody nearly drowns when she's trapped in an undersea cave. |
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Social BehaviorMelody runs way from home after an argument with her mother. Her parents cover up and lie to her about her mermaid roots in order to protect her. |
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